The Mighty Storm (Raura Revised)

Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Simone tells me all about Denny and what's been happening with them since she got back home form Paris.

By the sounds of things, absence is definitely making the heart grow fonder in their case.

She is totally smitten. And I'm so happy for her.

But it's making me miss Ross even more, hearing her talk about missing Denny.

I've been away from Ross for just over half a day and it's already hurting like a bitch. So lasting a week just doesn't feel like a physical possibility at the moment. I feel like I'm missing one of my limbs.

But I'm going to do my very best to hold out for as long as I can, because it's healthy for us to have time apart.

"So how was it leaving, Ross?" Simone asks, picking her wine up and taking a sip.

"Horrible. Hard. Teary."

"You're seeing him in a week though?"

"Yes," I nod. I take a sip of my own wine, then put my glass down and take a deep breath. "Ross has asked me to move in with him."

She splutters on her wine. "Seriously?"

"Seriously. He's asked me to move to LA to live with him."

"Wow," she says. "So are you going to?"

"I don't know," I shrug. "It's a lot to think about. I love living here with you. I love working at the magazine. I love Vicky. My folks are here in the UK. I just don't know."

"You love him?"

I meet her eyes. "Like no one before. I always have."

"Then you have your answer," she says softly.

I drag my hands through my hair, trying to compile a coherent sentence, but nothing's coming, except for that she's right.

Adele starts singing on the coffee table. One quick glance at my phone tells me it's Ross.

I haven't heard from him all day as he's been on his flight back to LA. He must have just landed.

"I was gonna go call Denny anyway," Simone smiles, getting to her feet. "Say hi to Ross for me."

"Hey, baby," I murmur, answering.

"Come to LA. Now. Please. I'll send the jet for you."

"A simple, 'I miss you, Laura', would have done." I start to chew on my thumbnail.

"I miss you, Laura. Too much. Now will you please come to LA? I'm going nuts here without you."

"It's only been what – thirteen hours."

I'm not going to admit to him I'm going nuts without him too.

"Twelve, and you're not missing me?" His voice is laced with hurt.

"I am. Like you'll never know. Worse than I did when we were kids."

"So why are we even doing this?"

"Because it's healthy to spend time apart."

"That's just Cosmo bullshit. Laura... baby, please, I miss you so much, I can't even begin to explain. I hate that I'm not with you right now," he sighs. "Okay, that's it." He sounds suddenly alert. "I'm cancelling the PR stuff for the tour. If you won't come to me then I'm coming to you."

"You can't do that!" I exclaim. But I love that he wants to.

"I'm the boss. I can do whatever I want."